Casino Chip of the Day
November 10th, 2013 at 9:00:10 PM
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State: California
City: Hawaiian Gardens
Casino: The Gardens
Today's chip of the day comes from the Gardens card club in Hawaiian Gardens, CA. Hawaiian Gardens is a southeastern LA suburb. Wiki says that it's the smallest city in LA county. The card club has 220 tables on a 150,000 sqft gaming floor. The casino offers blackjack, 3CP, baccarat, PGP, Pai Gow tiles, and UTH in addition to poker.
Here's a picture of the property:
I'm not really sure what the proper name of this club is. It's been Hawaiian Gardens, and now seems to be "The Gardens." My chip says The Gardens, but the MOGH has no entry for that name, and instead lists these chips under the Hawaiian Gardens entry. Even the casino's website lists both names. I've placed the club alphabetically in the Gs based on the name on the chip.
The Gardens seemed pretty OK inside to me, and the crime rate in the city of Hawaiian Gardens doesn't look too high. But the area around the casino isn't great and the parking lot security is pretty extreme. It features manned elevated guard posts and perimeter fencing at all areas except for the driveways. Luckily(?) for me, I lost and lost quickly in my PGP session. So I didn't have to worry about leaving the club with a lot of money and I didn't have to worry about my rental car being in the lot for an extended period of time.
My chip from the Gardens is a Bud Jones product. It's red with yellow/gold lettering and insert markings. The red color is rare for a card club in CA. The $1 and $25 chips both appear to be blue. They're quite differently styled, but that seems like an odd choice given California's wide open color palette.
City: Hawaiian Gardens
Casino: The Gardens
Today's chip of the day comes from the Gardens card club in Hawaiian Gardens, CA. Hawaiian Gardens is a southeastern LA suburb. Wiki says that it's the smallest city in LA county. The card club has 220 tables on a 150,000 sqft gaming floor. The casino offers blackjack, 3CP, baccarat, PGP, Pai Gow tiles, and UTH in addition to poker.
Here's a picture of the property:
I'm not really sure what the proper name of this club is. It's been Hawaiian Gardens, and now seems to be "The Gardens." My chip says The Gardens, but the MOGH has no entry for that name, and instead lists these chips under the Hawaiian Gardens entry. Even the casino's website lists both names. I've placed the club alphabetically in the Gs based on the name on the chip.
The Gardens seemed pretty OK inside to me, and the crime rate in the city of Hawaiian Gardens doesn't look too high. But the area around the casino isn't great and the parking lot security is pretty extreme. It features manned elevated guard posts and perimeter fencing at all areas except for the driveways. Luckily(?) for me, I lost and lost quickly in my PGP session. So I didn't have to worry about leaving the club with a lot of money and I didn't have to worry about my rental car being in the lot for an extended period of time.
My chip from the Gardens is a Bud Jones product. It's red with yellow/gold lettering and insert markings. The red color is rare for a card club in CA. The $1 and $25 chips both appear to be blue. They're quite differently styled, but that seems like an odd choice given California's wide open color palette.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 11th, 2013 at 5:01:32 AM
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Quote: rdw4potusCity: San Jose
Casino: Garden City
...
I'm not really sure what the proper name of this club is . It's been Hawaiian Gardens, and now seems to be "The Gardens."
Yes, I can see that you weren't quite sure enough about the name to put "Gardens" in the header of your post.
I guess that -- and the "San Jose" location -- were just holdover typos from yesterday? ;-)
November 11th, 2013 at 5:55:48 AM
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Quote: DocQuote: rdw4potusCity: San Jose
Casino: Garden City
...
I'm not really sure what the proper name of this club is . It's been Hawaiian Gardens, and now seems to be "The Gardens."
Yes, I can see that you weren't quite sure enough about the name to put "Gardens" in the header of your post.
I guess that -- and the "San Jose" location -- were just holdover typos from yesterday? ;-)
LOL! That's what I get for trying to watch football and write a post at the same time. Fixed it now:-)
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 11th, 2013 at 9:02:29 AM
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Hey, rdw, I made enough of these Casino Chip of the Day postings that I know exactly how easy it is to get something screwed up!
November 11th, 2013 at 9:43:42 AM
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Hi Doc this was posted on Nov 7 in the 'Where I have stayed in Vegas thread'. Maybe you can contact him and work out plan so we can see his chips.
I have now been to a total of 75 casinos worldwide. I have chips from all of them. I'll hook up with Doc or RW4potus at some point and see if they would be interested in any of them. - Most interesting casinos would be Korea, Vietnam, Argentina.
I have now been to a total of 75 casinos worldwide. I have chips from all of them. I'll hook up with Doc or RW4potus at some point and see if they would be interested in any of them. - Most interesting casinos would be Korea, Vietnam, Argentina.
Be careful when you follow the masses, the M is sometimes silent.
November 11th, 2013 at 11:39:31 AM
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Quote: AcesAndEightsMost of these clubs that RDW is posting pictures of don't even have card craps, they only have card-based games IIRC. And even then, they can't play standard house-banked games, they have to offer BS like 21st century blackjack.
Only the tribal casinos are allowed to play "pretend" craps. I'm so glad I don't live in California, for so many different reasons.
Yea be glad you're not in CA haha.
To other more knowledgeable members: I'm thinking card clubs can offer card craps as well since it is technically a card game, but clubs don't have it because it probably won't make as much money as the other tables? Also because keeping track of total bets for the vig would be a nightmare? Also imagine the corp player would just as well sit in the box haha
I CD-ROM.
November 11th, 2013 at 11:55:41 AM
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Quote: KonbuTo other more knowledgeable members: I'm thinking card clubs can offer card craps as well since it is technically a card game, but clubs don't have it because it probably won't make as much money as the other tables? Also because keeping track of total bets for the vig would be a nightmare? Also imagine the corp player would just as well sit in the box haha
It may also be because it's almost impossible to do if you have to have the dealer shift from one player to another, and I am pretty sure "games against the house" are illegal in California card rooms (they are considered Class III games, and are only allowed in tribal casinos whose compacts specifically allow them).
Also, I don't think I have seen a card craps game that didn't use dice in one form or another (to determine which cards were used for the roll) - that wouldn't be allowed in California card rooms.
November 11th, 2013 at 12:07:36 PM
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Doc or RDW have either of you ever been offered a sum of money for your chip collection?
November 11th, 2013 at 12:07:53 PM
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Quote: KonbuYea be glad you're not in CA haha.
To other more knowledgeable members: I'm thinking card clubs can offer card craps as well since it is technically a card game, but clubs don't have it because it probably won't make as much money as the other tables? Also because keeping track of total bets for the vig would be a nightmare? Also imagine the corp player would just as well sit in the box haha
I think you are right in that it could be offered, but is not since it is not a money maker. I know of at least two clubs that have experimented with card craps in various forms. In fact, the new owners at the Hollywood Park Casino have a tub on their floor that the sign says is open on Friday and Saturday nights.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
November 11th, 2013 at 12:14:52 PM
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Quote: rdw4potusState: California
City: Hawaiian Gardens
Casino: The Gardens
Here is my $1 Hawaiian Gardens chip:
Blue as the predominant color for dollars seems to be more common than white in California non-tribal clubs.
For as big a place as Hawaiian Gardens is, most of it is in semi-permanent tent structures (you can see a glimpse of one on the right side of rdw's photo above). It feels like a Red Cross rescue center gone bad.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
November 11th, 2013 at 12:17:17 PM
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Quote: BeardgoatDoc or RDW have either of you ever been offered a sum of money for your chip collection?
Yes, twice. I'd decline (just about) any offer, but both offers were about 60% of face value. That's just insulting...
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 11th, 2013 at 12:18:46 PM
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Quote: BeardgoatDoc or RDW have either of you ever been offered a sum of money for your chip collection?
Nope. I don't think my collection has any significant monetary value; for me it's really more a fun-of-collecting thing, and anyone who just bought a set would miss out on the fun. There are plenty of chips available on eBay, and I assume that the collectors' clubs have swap meets, so you can probably get most any chip you want without ever going to a casino. I have only a modest number that are not available today for $1 at the casino, if you want to go there.
November 11th, 2013 at 12:19:46 PM
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Quote: AyecarumbaI think you are right in that it could be offered, but is not since it is not a money maker. I know of at least two clubs that have experimented with card craps in various forms. In fact, the new owners at the Hollywood Park Casino have a tub on their floor that the sign says is open on Friday and Saturday nights.
I have seen this table in action. A lot of sketchy characters playing.
Someone mentioned above that card craps also uses dice and this is often true but not always. It seems to me to be a regional thing. All of the Palm Springs area casinos deal a pack of 12 cards, 6 red backs and 6 blue backs, shuffle them together and pick the first red and first blue card, and that is your roll: No dice. Pechanga does something similar but shuffles the cards in 2 different auto shufflers. Many places will just deal a card each out of two shoes. The San Diego area casinos seem more interested in trying to emulate dice craps as much as possible.
HG and its casino are a bad place to be. The casino is a big nylon tent. its godawful.
Vote for Nobody 2020!
November 11th, 2013 at 5:30:16 PM
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Quote: ThatDonGuyAlso, I don't think I have seen a card craps game that didn't use dice in one form or another (to determine which cards were used for the roll) - that wouldn't be allowed in California card rooms.
I played card craps at the Red Hawk once and the way it works there is when you're the roller you get 2 pucks. One puck has number 0 and 1 on each side and the other has 2 and 3. Each card has a face of the die on it and is drawn from a CSM. So on each "roll" you can change how many cards to burn (0,1,2, or 3) by placing the puck on the table. The next 2 cards after the burn will be the roll. It was mildly fun because I won a little bit but I missed throwing the dice.
I CD-ROM.
November 11th, 2013 at 9:03:32 PM
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State: California
City: Gilroy
Casino: Garlic City
Today's chip of the day comes from the Garlic City card club in Gilroy, CA. Gilroy, which is south of San Jose on US 101, is nicknamed the "garlic capitol of the world." That distinction is the basis for the name of the card club, which has 5 tables. In addition to the poker games, there's a 3cp table and a BJ table.
Here's a picture of the casino:
I've been to Garlic City twice, both in the same day. I stayed in Monterrey, drove up/over to Stockton and Modesto, then stayed in San Jose. Garlic City was one of the first stops on my route, and I also had to add it back to the end of the route. When I visited the first time, the club was open but the only game in play was 1/2 hold'em and there was nobody around to sell me a $5 chip. Also, nobody spoke English, which I think embarrassed a couple of the players. One very kind player gave me 5 $1 chips on that first visit. When I stopped by later in the day, I was able to play BJ and collect a $5 chip. I won $40 ($45, counting this chip) during my BJ session.
Garlic City is not in any way fancy. But I think it could be a fun hangout. Everybody was having a good time, the games were low stakes, and food/drink are free to players (options are very limited...but, hey, free food!). Spanish language skills would be a must, I suppose. Also, the whole city smells like garlic; and that's especially true inside the club, which is a hangout for garlic farmer workers.
My chips from Garlic City are Paulson RHCs. The $1 chip is a fairly standard blue color, and the $5 chip is orange. The chips feature a five card poker hand (aces full of kings) and a clove of garlic.
City: Gilroy
Casino: Garlic City
Today's chip of the day comes from the Garlic City card club in Gilroy, CA. Gilroy, which is south of San Jose on US 101, is nicknamed the "garlic capitol of the world." That distinction is the basis for the name of the card club, which has 5 tables. In addition to the poker games, there's a 3cp table and a BJ table.
Here's a picture of the casino:
I've been to Garlic City twice, both in the same day. I stayed in Monterrey, drove up/over to Stockton and Modesto, then stayed in San Jose. Garlic City was one of the first stops on my route, and I also had to add it back to the end of the route. When I visited the first time, the club was open but the only game in play was 1/2 hold'em and there was nobody around to sell me a $5 chip. Also, nobody spoke English, which I think embarrassed a couple of the players. One very kind player gave me 5 $1 chips on that first visit. When I stopped by later in the day, I was able to play BJ and collect a $5 chip. I won $40 ($45, counting this chip) during my BJ session.
Garlic City is not in any way fancy. But I think it could be a fun hangout. Everybody was having a good time, the games were low stakes, and food/drink are free to players (options are very limited...but, hey, free food!). Spanish language skills would be a must, I suppose. Also, the whole city smells like garlic; and that's especially true inside the club, which is a hangout for garlic farmer workers.
My chips from Garlic City are Paulson RHCs. The $1 chip is a fairly standard blue color, and the $5 chip is orange. The chips feature a five card poker hand (aces full of kings) and a clove of garlic.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 12th, 2013 at 8:27:00 PM
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State: California
City: Bakersfield
Casino: Golden West
Today's chips of the day come from the Golden West card club in Bakersfield, CA. Bakersfield is about 100 miles north of LA, on CA-99. The population is about 350,000 and it's location near the joining of I-5 and CA-99 makes Bakersfield a transportation hub for many ag-related industries in the San Joaquin valley. Golden West has about 30 total tables, including several poker variations, BJ, 3CP, baccarat, PGP, and UTH.
There are very few pictures of the club available online. Many sites, like the MOGH, just have pictures of the sign. Here's the one picture that I could find that includes the casino itself in the image:
I played BJ to collect my chips from Golden West. I lost my buyin relatively quickly, but during my session I noticed that several chips bearing the property's former name of Maison Jaussauds were being circulated in play. I don't think I'd ever come across that situation before, and I wasn't sure what to do from a collection standpoint. I decided to collect both chips.
Both chips are yellow Paulson RHCs with teal and kelly inserts. I suppose their similar colorings may be part of the reason why chips under the old name were allowed to be intermixed with the newer chips.
City: Bakersfield
Casino: Golden West
Today's chips of the day come from the Golden West card club in Bakersfield, CA. Bakersfield is about 100 miles north of LA, on CA-99. The population is about 350,000 and it's location near the joining of I-5 and CA-99 makes Bakersfield a transportation hub for many ag-related industries in the San Joaquin valley. Golden West has about 30 total tables, including several poker variations, BJ, 3CP, baccarat, PGP, and UTH.
There are very few pictures of the club available online. Many sites, like the MOGH, just have pictures of the sign. Here's the one picture that I could find that includes the casino itself in the image:
I played BJ to collect my chips from Golden West. I lost my buyin relatively quickly, but during my session I noticed that several chips bearing the property's former name of Maison Jaussauds were being circulated in play. I don't think I'd ever come across that situation before, and I wasn't sure what to do from a collection standpoint. I decided to collect both chips.
Both chips are yellow Paulson RHCs with teal and kelly inserts. I suppose their similar colorings may be part of the reason why chips under the old name were allowed to be intermixed with the newer chips.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 12th, 2013 at 10:20:27 PM
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Quote: rdw4potusI noticed that several chips bearing the property's former name of Maison Jaussauds were being circulated in play. I don't think I'd ever come across that situation before, and I wasn't sure what to do from a collection standpoint. I decided to collect both chips.
This may not be all that different from the situation I encountered at Cypress Bayou and Shorty's in Louisiana. I was never sure as to whether there were really two connected casinos or a name change, and my sources were in conflict, as discussed in the Cypress Bayou post.
November 13th, 2013 at 8:04:26 PM
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State: California
City: Inglewood
Casino: Hollywood Park
Today's chip of the day comes from the Hollywood Park casino in Inglewood, CA. Inglewood is Southwest of downtown LA, about 2 miles from the Pacific. Hollywood Park has a 70,000 sqft gaming floor with 80 tables. The casino is located on the grounds of the Hollywood Park race track, though I think that the casino is a distinct building rather than a part of the racetrack structure.
Here is a picture of the club:
I played a BJ variant at Hollywood Park. I don't even remember which one they spread. I do know that I won $70 due to a very big final hand, and that a big better lost because I played that hand the way I did. I didn't do anything "wrong" - I split 7s against a 5, got two doubles, and made both hands - but the dealer also got to 18 and beat the poor dude who'd stayed on 13. I think this was the most angry anyone has ever been with me in a casino. Not exactly the situation I was going for. I left the table, cashed out, waited to make sure that angry guy was focused on the game and not on me anymore, and scurried off to the next club.
My chip from Hollywood Park is a yellow Bud Jones product. It features a horseback rider in silhouette.
City: Inglewood
Casino: Hollywood Park
Today's chip of the day comes from the Hollywood Park casino in Inglewood, CA. Inglewood is Southwest of downtown LA, about 2 miles from the Pacific. Hollywood Park has a 70,000 sqft gaming floor with 80 tables. The casino is located on the grounds of the Hollywood Park race track, though I think that the casino is a distinct building rather than a part of the racetrack structure.
Here is a picture of the club:
I played a BJ variant at Hollywood Park. I don't even remember which one they spread. I do know that I won $70 due to a very big final hand, and that a big better lost because I played that hand the way I did. I didn't do anything "wrong" - I split 7s against a 5, got two doubles, and made both hands - but the dealer also got to 18 and beat the poor dude who'd stayed on 13. I think this was the most angry anyone has ever been with me in a casino. Not exactly the situation I was going for. I left the table, cashed out, waited to make sure that angry guy was focused on the game and not on me anymore, and scurried off to the next club.
My chip from Hollywood Park is a yellow Bud Jones product. It features a horseback rider in silhouette.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 14th, 2013 at 2:29:21 PM
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Quote: rdw4potusState: California
City: Inglewood
Casino: Hollywood Park
Here is my $1 from Hollywood Park:
I don't particularly care for the "stencil" font. It reminds me of a home made garage sale sign. The casino recently changed owners, but I don't think they changed chip designs.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
November 14th, 2013 at 6:14:22 PM
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State: California
City: Gardena
Casino: Hustler
Today's chip of the day comes from the Hustler card club in Gardena, CA. Gardena is an LA suburb. It's south of Inglewood, about halfway between Compton and the Pacific. The club has 80 tables on a 60,000 sqft table. The casino has BJ, 3CP, PG Tiles, and PGP in addition to its poker offerings.
With the casino's name, it's difficult to successfully find an image online. Here's the MOGH's image, which isn't exactly great:
I didn't stay at Hustler too long. I played BJ to get my chip. The game was fun, but it was extremely fast. Given that it was sort-of-but-not-really blackjack, I couldn't handle the speed. I think there were jokers in there somewhere, I was confused, and nobody would slow down to explain. But, everybody in the whole place seemed to be having fun. I didn't know what to expect heading into a club named Hustler in a city between Inglewood and Compton, but the club was bright, clean, and safe-feeling.
My chip from Hustler is a Paulson RHC. The image, which is pretty much just a white circle, extends out into the hats and canes. Personally, I think the chip would look much better if that image were slightly smaller.
City: Gardena
Casino: Hustler
Today's chip of the day comes from the Hustler card club in Gardena, CA. Gardena is an LA suburb. It's south of Inglewood, about halfway between Compton and the Pacific. The club has 80 tables on a 60,000 sqft table. The casino has BJ, 3CP, PG Tiles, and PGP in addition to its poker offerings.
With the casino's name, it's difficult to successfully find an image online. Here's the MOGH's image, which isn't exactly great:
I didn't stay at Hustler too long. I played BJ to get my chip. The game was fun, but it was extremely fast. Given that it was sort-of-but-not-really blackjack, I couldn't handle the speed. I think there were jokers in there somewhere, I was confused, and nobody would slow down to explain. But, everybody in the whole place seemed to be having fun. I didn't know what to expect heading into a club named Hustler in a city between Inglewood and Compton, but the club was bright, clean, and safe-feeling.
My chip from Hustler is a Paulson RHC. The image, which is pretty much just a white circle, extends out into the hats and canes. Personally, I think the chip would look much better if that image were slightly smaller.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 14th, 2013 at 6:26:18 PM
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Is operating the "Hustler Casino" relatively similar to naming your company "Con Man Investments"?
I have updated the post #1 directory through the Hustler Casino, but I am leaving the country for a week and a half and do not expect to be visiting the forum in that period. I will bring the directory up to date when I get back. Might be able to pick up a chip or two on this trip, but not very many.
I have updated the post #1 directory through the Hustler Casino, but I am leaving the country for a week and a half and do not expect to be visiting the forum in that period. I will bring the directory up to date when I get back. Might be able to pick up a chip or two on this trip, but not very many.
November 15th, 2013 at 10:24:26 AM
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Quote: rdw4potusState: California
City: Gardena
Casino: Hustler
This building is one of the ugliest things I have ever seen. It looks like a block of Swiss Cheese, but is actually supposed to be a golden crown, encrusted with jewels. The owner of the casino is Larry Flynt, the founder and publisher of the Hustler porno mag and smut empire, so if the joint is "encrusted", I wouldn't touch it. I am not sure how a business like this gets past all the "sexual harassment" workplace laws. Perhaps employees have to sign a waiver?
Here are the two sides of my $1 chip:
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
November 15th, 2013 at 7:37:39 PM
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State: California
City: Jackson
Casino: Jackson Rancheria
Today's chip of the day comes from the Jackson Rancheria casino in Jackson, CA. Jackson is a small town about 50 miles East Southeast of Sacramento. Jackson has easy access to area lakes and to Eldorado National Forest, which combine to make it a bit of a resort/tourist area. The casino has 1,600 slots and 55 tables. Casino City has presented us with another opportunity for a price-is-right type game: One of the following numbers is not included in the casino's square footage: 257789. With the slot count, I'd bet that 57789 was the correct number. The casino has a wide array of table games: BJ, 4CP, PGP, UTH, baccarat, 3CP, card craps, and card roulette.
Here's a picture of the casino's entrance:
I played UTH to collect my chip at Jackson Rancheria. I got the feeling that it was a new game for them. The dealer was explaining everything to everyone as though she expected everybody to have no idea how to play. The session was much less swingy than most UTH sessions. I just sort of sat at +-4 units. I finally got bored and left after a winning hand. I was +$5 on the session.
My chip from Jackson Rancheria is a Paulson RHC. It's red, which is expected for a Tribal casino. It features a picture of what I think is a bronze statue of two people.
City: Jackson
Casino: Jackson Rancheria
Today's chip of the day comes from the Jackson Rancheria casino in Jackson, CA. Jackson is a small town about 50 miles East Southeast of Sacramento. Jackson has easy access to area lakes and to Eldorado National Forest, which combine to make it a bit of a resort/tourist area. The casino has 1,600 slots and 55 tables. Casino City has presented us with another opportunity for a price-is-right type game: One of the following numbers is not included in the casino's square footage: 257789. With the slot count, I'd bet that 57789 was the correct number. The casino has a wide array of table games: BJ, 4CP, PGP, UTH, baccarat, 3CP, card craps, and card roulette.
Here's a picture of the casino's entrance:
I played UTH to collect my chip at Jackson Rancheria. I got the feeling that it was a new game for them. The dealer was explaining everything to everyone as though she expected everybody to have no idea how to play. The session was much less swingy than most UTH sessions. I just sort of sat at +-4 units. I finally got bored and left after a winning hand. I was +$5 on the session.
My chip from Jackson Rancheria is a Paulson RHC. It's red, which is expected for a Tribal casino. It features a picture of what I think is a bronze statue of two people.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 16th, 2013 at 8:08:32 PM
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State: California
City: Woodlake
Casino: La Fuerza
Today's chip of the day comes from the La Fuerza card club in Woodlake, CA. Woodlake is about halfway between Visalia and the edge of Sequoia National Park. The area is very agricultural. I realized this evening that, though I don't have any English names categorized under "the", I do have this one in the Ls. Drat! The club is small - 2 pool tables and 2 poker tables.
I can't find a picture of the casino online, so no photo is available today. This is also one of the few places that I didn't actually play when I collected my chip. The club operates on a tournament-only structure, and there was no room in the day's single-table tournament. From what I learned from the proprietor as we chatted for a bit, the "tournaments" never have any open seats - the same 10 guys have played every day after work for the last several years. The club itself is nothing but a stripped down retail storefront, with the pool tables and poker tables in the middle of the room. There was beer and soda in a little fridge, and they were baking some sort of corn fritter morsels in what looked like a commercial toaster oven. I don't know what that food was, but it was delicious. I'd have stayed and talked and snacked for a while, but I didn't feel like I was providing fair value to the group. Only a couple of them spoke any english at all, and those guys were trying to play poker.
I can't stress enough how nice the guys at La Fuerza were. I pretty much crashed their standing poker game, ate their food, drank their beer, and took a poker chip from them. The proprietor wouldn't take my money for any of it. He didn't even let me pay for the chip, and just insisted that "it doesn't have cash value - why would I take your cash?" I tried everything I could think of to pay him somehow - even offering to run across the street to the grocery store to buy beer or soda, but he just wouldn't have it.
I don't know what my chip from La Fuerza is, exactly. It's nicer than my home set, but not as high-quality as the casino chips in my collection. This is the $5 tournament chip from their collection. White and green were also on the table, and it looked like black and purple were also in the set. That kind of made me wonder exactly how long the game usually lasted and how these guys wives felt about their game.
City: Woodlake
Casino: La Fuerza
Today's chip of the day comes from the La Fuerza card club in Woodlake, CA. Woodlake is about halfway between Visalia and the edge of Sequoia National Park. The area is very agricultural. I realized this evening that, though I don't have any English names categorized under "the", I do have this one in the Ls. Drat! The club is small - 2 pool tables and 2 poker tables.
I can't find a picture of the casino online, so no photo is available today. This is also one of the few places that I didn't actually play when I collected my chip. The club operates on a tournament-only structure, and there was no room in the day's single-table tournament. From what I learned from the proprietor as we chatted for a bit, the "tournaments" never have any open seats - the same 10 guys have played every day after work for the last several years. The club itself is nothing but a stripped down retail storefront, with the pool tables and poker tables in the middle of the room. There was beer and soda in a little fridge, and they were baking some sort of corn fritter morsels in what looked like a commercial toaster oven. I don't know what that food was, but it was delicious. I'd have stayed and talked and snacked for a while, but I didn't feel like I was providing fair value to the group. Only a couple of them spoke any english at all, and those guys were trying to play poker.
I can't stress enough how nice the guys at La Fuerza were. I pretty much crashed their standing poker game, ate their food, drank their beer, and took a poker chip from them. The proprietor wouldn't take my money for any of it. He didn't even let me pay for the chip, and just insisted that "it doesn't have cash value - why would I take your cash?" I tried everything I could think of to pay him somehow - even offering to run across the street to the grocery store to buy beer or soda, but he just wouldn't have it.
I don't know what my chip from La Fuerza is, exactly. It's nicer than my home set, but not as high-quality as the casino chips in my collection. This is the $5 tournament chip from their collection. White and green were also on the table, and it looked like black and purple were also in the set. That kind of made me wonder exactly how long the game usually lasted and how these guys wives felt about their game.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 17th, 2013 at 7:01:54 PM
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State: California
City: Folsom
Casino: Lake Bowl
Today's chips of the day come from the Lake Bowl card club in Folsom, CA. Folsom, which is the home of the prison of the same name, is a part of the Sacramento metropolitan area. Lake Bowl is a bowling alley/bar/grill/card club. It has 11 tables, including hold'em, Omaha, and blackjack. Several of the BJ tables are partially outdoors.
Here is a picture of the card-club part of the property:
I had so much fun at Lake Bowl the first time around that I returned about a year later on another trip through the area. I really like the card room's setup. The bar has a patio, and two of the BJ tables are/can-be on the patio. It's one of those bar patios where there are garage doors that can be closed to separate inside and outside. When the weather permits, the BJ dealers stand roughly where the door would be and the player-side of the tables is on the patio. Both sessions were successful. I won about $120 the first time around, and about $40 the second time around. The girl next to me though that my $120 win was the best thing ever, and tried very hard to get me to use the money to buy her booze. She did not need any more booze...
When I went to the club the second time, I noticed that the chips were different. So, I have two different chips from the club. They're both Paulson RHCs, one with the "Lake Bowl" name and one with the name listed as "Folsom Lake Bowl". The "Lake Bowl" chip features an image of a bowling ball hitting some pins, while the "Folsom Lake Bowl" chip features a suited BJ in diamonds, 2 billiards balls, and a yellow smiling circle thing holding a beer all hanging out inside a billiards rack.
City: Folsom
Casino: Lake Bowl
Today's chips of the day come from the Lake Bowl card club in Folsom, CA. Folsom, which is the home of the prison of the same name, is a part of the Sacramento metropolitan area. Lake Bowl is a bowling alley/bar/grill/card club. It has 11 tables, including hold'em, Omaha, and blackjack. Several of the BJ tables are partially outdoors.
Here is a picture of the card-club part of the property:
I had so much fun at Lake Bowl the first time around that I returned about a year later on another trip through the area. I really like the card room's setup. The bar has a patio, and two of the BJ tables are/can-be on the patio. It's one of those bar patios where there are garage doors that can be closed to separate inside and outside. When the weather permits, the BJ dealers stand roughly where the door would be and the player-side of the tables is on the patio. Both sessions were successful. I won about $120 the first time around, and about $40 the second time around. The girl next to me though that my $120 win was the best thing ever, and tried very hard to get me to use the money to buy her booze. She did not need any more booze...
When I went to the club the second time, I noticed that the chips were different. So, I have two different chips from the club. They're both Paulson RHCs, one with the "Lake Bowl" name and one with the name listed as "Folsom Lake Bowl". The "Lake Bowl" chip features an image of a bowling ball hitting some pins, while the "Folsom Lake Bowl" chip features a suited BJ in diamonds, 2 billiards balls, and a yellow smiling circle thing holding a beer all hanging out inside a billiards rack.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 17th, 2013 at 9:27:25 PM
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Quote: rdw4potusState: California
City: Woodlake
Casino: La Fuerza
Today's chip of the day comes from the La Fuerza card club in Woodlake, CA. Woodlake is about halfway between Visalia and the edge of Sequoia National Park. The area is very agricultural. I realized this evening that, though I don't have any English names categorized under "the", I do have this one in the Ls. Drat! The club is small - 2 pool tables and 2 poker tables.
I can't find a picture of the casino online, so no photo is available today. This is also one of the few places that I didn't actually play when I collected my chip. The club operates on a tournament-only structure, and there was no room in the day's single-table tournament. From what I learned from the proprietor as we chatted for a bit, the "tournaments" never have any open seats - the same 10 guys have played every day after work for the last several years. The club itself is nothing but a stripped down retail storefront, with the pool tables and poker tables in the middle of the room. There was beer and soda in a little fridge, and they were baking some sort of corn fritter morsels in what looked like a commercial toaster oven. I don't know what that food was, but it was delicious. I'd have stayed and talked and snacked for a while, but I didn't feel like I was providing fair value to the group. Only a couple of them spoke any english at all, and those guys were trying to play poker.
I can't stress enough how nice the guys at La Fuerza were. I pretty much crashed their standing poker game, ate their food, drank their beer, and took a poker chip from them. The proprietor wouldn't take my money for any of it. He didn't even let me pay for the chip, and just insisted that "it doesn't have cash value - why would I take your cash?" I tried everything I could think of to pay him somehow - even offering to run across the street to the grocery store to buy beer or soda, but he just wouldn't have it.
I don't know what my chip from La Fuerza is, exactly. It's nicer than my home set, but not as high-quality as the casino chips in my collection. This is the $5 tournament chip from their collection. White and green were also on the table, and it looked like black and purple were also in the set. That kind of made me wonder exactly how long the game usually lasted and how these guys wives felt about their game.
That is a great story! Kind of a "slice of life" thing.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
November 18th, 2013 at 9:47:15 AM
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Quote: rdw4potusState: California
City: Folsom
Casino: Lake Bowl
I like the "8-Ball" bowling ball. Was there a per hand collection at this joint?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
November 18th, 2013 at 2:16:13 PM
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Quote: AyecarumbaQuote: rdw4potusState: California
City: Folsom
Casino: Lake Bowl
I like the "8-Ball" bowling ball. Was there a per hand collection at this joint?
My notes on the collection are mixed. I don't remember specifically what happened, but the notes suggest that there was a collection on the first visit but not on the second. I'm not sure if that means that the notes were wrong, if the name change resulted in some other change that affected the collection, or if maybe one visit was during an ante-free happy hour of some sort.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 18th, 2013 at 2:23:01 PM
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I saw $115,000 win at Mohigan Sun this morning I wish I could send a picture, but I have no idea how to do that.
November 18th, 2013 at 6:34:58 PM
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State: California
City: Lake Elsinore
Casino: Lake Elsinore
Today's chip of the day comes from the Lake Elsinore card club in Lake Elsinore, CA. The city is in western Riverside County, on I-15. A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that I'd always thought that the city was in Orange County. The casino has 16 poker tables, plus about 10 table games including BJ, 3CP, and PGP. The property also has a 93 room hotel, which makes this one of a very few card clubs in CA that have on-site hotels.
Here's a picture of the property:
I visited Lake Elsinore at about midnight. I did not notice a hotel. I did not feel safe in the parking lot. I would never consider staying at this property. I'm not even sure that I could be paid to do so (ok...I'm sure there's SOME price at which I'd do it...). I played PGP to collect my chip. The card club was very lively. I walked in at midnight, but I would not be surprised to learn that everyone else had been playing and drinking since their workdays ended many hours earlier. I picked PGP for two reasons - BJ was full, and 3CP had some sort of altercation in progress. I think the scenario at 3cp was the age-old case where someone sat down, got a monster, and heard about it from the person who would otherwise have received those cards. My PGP game was fast, fair, and quiet. Nothing awful happened, but I couldn't get a hand, either. I suppose that's the story of that game. I busted out when my 2 pair finally lost to the dealer's hand.
My chip from Lake Elsinore is a yellow Paulson hat & cane. The design is pretty minimalist, with just the name, location, and a couple small palm trees on the face of the chip.
City: Lake Elsinore
Casino: Lake Elsinore
Today's chip of the day comes from the Lake Elsinore card club in Lake Elsinore, CA. The city is in western Riverside County, on I-15. A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that I'd always thought that the city was in Orange County. The casino has 16 poker tables, plus about 10 table games including BJ, 3CP, and PGP. The property also has a 93 room hotel, which makes this one of a very few card clubs in CA that have on-site hotels.
Here's a picture of the property:
I visited Lake Elsinore at about midnight. I did not notice a hotel. I did not feel safe in the parking lot. I would never consider staying at this property. I'm not even sure that I could be paid to do so (ok...I'm sure there's SOME price at which I'd do it...). I played PGP to collect my chip. The card club was very lively. I walked in at midnight, but I would not be surprised to learn that everyone else had been playing and drinking since their workdays ended many hours earlier. I picked PGP for two reasons - BJ was full, and 3CP had some sort of altercation in progress. I think the scenario at 3cp was the age-old case where someone sat down, got a monster, and heard about it from the person who would otherwise have received those cards. My PGP game was fast, fair, and quiet. Nothing awful happened, but I couldn't get a hand, either. I suppose that's the story of that game. I busted out when my 2 pair finally lost to the dealer's hand.
My chip from Lake Elsinore is a yellow Paulson hat & cane. The design is pretty minimalist, with just the name, location, and a couple small palm trees on the face of the chip.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 19th, 2013 at 1:01:54 PM
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Quote: rdw4potusState: California
City: Lake Elsinore
Casino: Lake Elsinore
Whenever I see "Elsinore" in a place name, I think about the move Strange Brew. "24 Elsinore!"
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
November 19th, 2013 at 1:33:00 PM
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I am really surprised that you felt uneasy at Elsinore. Newport Beach it is not but it's not thought of badly like Bell Gardens, Hawaiian Gardens, Gardena, Compton, where there are casinos. Elsinore is more redneck than gangster.
Vote for Nobody 2020!
November 19th, 2013 at 1:37:49 PM
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Quote: bigfoot66I am really surprised that you felt uneasy at Elsinore. Newport Beach it is not but it's not thought of badly like Bell Gardens, Hawaiian Gardens, Gardena, Compton, where there are casinos. Elsinore is more redneck than gangster.
Perhaps the strains of "Dueling Banjos" in the casino Muzak made him nervous...
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
November 19th, 2013 at 8:05:20 PM
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Quote: bigfoot66Elsinore is more redneck than gangster.
I definitely agree. And I'm more afraid of drunken brawls than I am of wanna-be thugs:-)
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 19th, 2013 at 8:14:34 PM
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Quote: rdw4potusI definitely agree. And I'm more afraid of drunken brawls than I am of wanna-be thugs:-)
Rednecks are notorious for drunken brawls. Not gangs, but looking and someone wrong etc.. It's an abhorrent lifestyle choice being a redneck who drinks and fights.
November 19th, 2013 at 8:29:29 PM
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State: California
City: Sacramento
Casino: Limelight
Today's chip of the day comes from the Limelight card club in Sacramento, CA. The Limelight is in central Sacramento. It's North of US50, just east of CA99. I thought the area was beautiful, and the club was great too. The Limelight's focus is a bar & restaurant and the card club has 9 tables including poker and BJ.
Here's a picture of the property:
I really enjoyed the Limelight. The bar & restaurant was fun and kind of ecclectic, and the card club was lively. I played BJ to collect my chip. The game moved along pretty quickly. If the game had rules that differed from regular BJ, they didn't come up during my session. There was an ante, but there was no joker or payment on busts or pushed dealer 22 or anything.
California has a wide array of card clubs. Some are as big as Vegas casinos with hundreds of tables, some have 1 table in a corner; some are very upscale, some are sketchy as hell. Some feel homey in a "wow, this is like a basement" way. Limelight is homey in a "wow! This is like my favorite casual restaurant, but with a card club!" way. I think this "regular business + tables = awesome" card club business model is my favorite.
My chip from the Limelight is a Sunfly mold from the Blue Chip company. It's green, while the $1 chip is red and the $20 chip is white. Gotta love California card clubs. Both sides of the chip contain a misspelling on the location - Sacaramento is listed as the city name.
City: Sacramento
Casino: Limelight
Today's chip of the day comes from the Limelight card club in Sacramento, CA. The Limelight is in central Sacramento. It's North of US50, just east of CA99. I thought the area was beautiful, and the club was great too. The Limelight's focus is a bar & restaurant and the card club has 9 tables including poker and BJ.
Here's a picture of the property:
I really enjoyed the Limelight. The bar & restaurant was fun and kind of ecclectic, and the card club was lively. I played BJ to collect my chip. The game moved along pretty quickly. If the game had rules that differed from regular BJ, they didn't come up during my session. There was an ante, but there was no joker or payment on busts or pushed dealer 22 or anything.
California has a wide array of card clubs. Some are as big as Vegas casinos with hundreds of tables, some have 1 table in a corner; some are very upscale, some are sketchy as hell. Some feel homey in a "wow, this is like a basement" way. Limelight is homey in a "wow! This is like my favorite casual restaurant, but with a card club!" way. I think this "regular business + tables = awesome" card club business model is my favorite.
My chip from the Limelight is a Sunfly mold from the Blue Chip company. It's green, while the $1 chip is red and the $20 chip is white. Gotta love California card clubs. Both sides of the chip contain a misspelling on the location - Sacaramento is listed as the city name.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 20th, 2013 at 10:23:33 AM
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Quote: rdw4potusI definitely agree. And I'm more afraid of drunken brawls than I am of wanna-be thugs:-)
So if Compton (BTW, did you skip the Crystal Casino in Compton?) and Inglewood houses wana be thugs, where are the REAL gangsters?
Vote for Nobody 2020!
November 20th, 2013 at 10:32:17 AM
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Quote: NokTangRednecks are notorious for drunken brawls. Not gangs, but looking and someone wrong etc.. It's an abhorrent lifestyle choice being a redneck who drinks and fights.
Fighting is not good, but what's wrong with drinking? I think you are nuts if you think the average redneck is more violent than a gangster. Gangs, by their nature, are constantly at 'war' or at least on uneasy terms with other gangs, it is a 24/7 thing. Rednecks don't get into it with a stranger just because he is wearing the wrong color in his neighborhood. Frankly rednecks (especially southern rednecks, REAL rednecks) tend to be friendly and easygoing. You sound to me like someone who has spent little to no time around rednecks. I spent 4 years hanging out at the Korner Pub in Cornelius, North Carolina, a redneck bar if there ever was one. The regulars were some of the nicest people I've ever met.
Vote for Nobody 2020!
November 20th, 2013 at 10:35:02 AM
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Quote: bigfoot66So if Compton (BTW, did you skip the Crystal Casino in Compton?) and Inglewood houses wana be thugs, where are the REAL gangsters?
Doc may not like my alphabetization on that one, but I have it in the Ns for New (I was there after it closed and reopened as the New Crystal Park Casino)
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 20th, 2013 at 6:28:46 PM
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State: California
City: Livermore
Casino: Livermore
Today's chip of the day comes from the Livermore card club in Livermore, CA. The City of Livermore is between Oakland and Stockton on I580. The card club has about 15 tables, including BJ, 3CP, bacc, UTH, and PGP.
Here's a picture of the club, which has sort of an odd western/non-urban theme:
The city of Livermore is not small - the population is about 80,000. It's a few miles from cities with populations 10x larger. My point here is that it's not at all in the middle of nowhere. But the club feels kind of like the very rural Northern Nevada casinos - a little old and rundown, a little western themed. I played BJ to collect my chip. I got incredibly creamed. It was like something out of the chronicles of Aceofspades. I bought in for $100 (ok, so that part is un-Acelike), paid $1 hand in ante, played $10/hand, and I was wiped out within 10 hands.
My chip from Livermore is a yellow Paulson RHC. It features an image of a saddle, which I suppose supports the western theme of the property.
City: Livermore
Casino: Livermore
Today's chip of the day comes from the Livermore card club in Livermore, CA. The City of Livermore is between Oakland and Stockton on I580. The card club has about 15 tables, including BJ, 3CP, bacc, UTH, and PGP.
Here's a picture of the club, which has sort of an odd western/non-urban theme:
The city of Livermore is not small - the population is about 80,000. It's a few miles from cities with populations 10x larger. My point here is that it's not at all in the middle of nowhere. But the club feels kind of like the very rural Northern Nevada casinos - a little old and rundown, a little western themed. I played BJ to collect my chip. I got incredibly creamed. It was like something out of the chronicles of Aceofspades. I bought in for $100 (ok, so that part is un-Acelike), paid $1 hand in ante, played $10/hand, and I was wiped out within 10 hands.
My chip from Livermore is a yellow Paulson RHC. It features an image of a saddle, which I suppose supports the western theme of the property.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 21st, 2013 at 9:45:22 AM
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Do you recall the types of customers at the Livermore? Known mainly for the atomic research facility in town, I always assumed the town was full of well heeled scientific types. However, the saddle on the insert seems to acknowledge a cowboy culture.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
November 21st, 2013 at 9:54:18 AM
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Quote: AyecarumbaDo you recall the types of customers at the Livermore? Known mainly for the atomic research facility in town, I always assumed the town was full of well heeled scientific types. However, the saddle on the insert seems to acknowledge a cowboy culture.
I would say there's 3 groups: Techies, Townies, and Ag workers. Probably a pretty even split between the 3.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 21st, 2013 at 7:36:57 PM
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State: California
City: Sacramento
Casino: Lotus
Today's chip of the day comes from the Lotus card club in Sacramento, CA. Lotus is in Southern Sacramento. It's South of US50, East of CA99. The casino has BJ, 3CP, Baccarat, UTH, PG Tiles, and PGP. There's also, of course, poker.
Here is a picture of the property:
Lotus has what I think is an interesting niche: oodles and oodles of jackpots. Mega bad beat jackpots (quad 8s beat), mini bad beat jackpots (aces full of jacks beat), PGP bad beats (pair/ace-high flush loser), Bacc bad beats (natural 8 loser), PG tiles pair/pair bonuses...really, if you're playing any game and your hand/luck is either great or crappy, you're going to get paid. Of course, my own experience playing PGP to collect my chip found a middle ground. I did win $60, but I didn't have any stellar or horrid hands.
My chip from the Lotus card club is sort of magenta. I guess it probably qualifies as a "red" chip, which is rare for a $5 chip from a CA card club. I can't quite match it to any of the manufacturers or designs that I have bookmarked, and I don't see a chip like it in the rest of my collection either (I didn't look too hard...there's a football game on...)
City: Sacramento
Casino: Lotus
Today's chip of the day comes from the Lotus card club in Sacramento, CA. Lotus is in Southern Sacramento. It's South of US50, East of CA99. The casino has BJ, 3CP, Baccarat, UTH, PG Tiles, and PGP. There's also, of course, poker.
Here is a picture of the property:
Lotus has what I think is an interesting niche: oodles and oodles of jackpots. Mega bad beat jackpots (quad 8s beat), mini bad beat jackpots (aces full of jacks beat), PGP bad beats (pair/ace-high flush loser), Bacc bad beats (natural 8 loser), PG tiles pair/pair bonuses...really, if you're playing any game and your hand/luck is either great or crappy, you're going to get paid. Of course, my own experience playing PGP to collect my chip found a middle ground. I did win $60, but I didn't have any stellar or horrid hands.
My chip from the Lotus card club is sort of magenta. I guess it probably qualifies as a "red" chip, which is rare for a $5 chip from a CA card club. I can't quite match it to any of the manufacturers or designs that I have bookmarked, and I don't see a chip like it in the rest of my collection either (I didn't look too hard...there's a football game on...)
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 22nd, 2013 at 12:53:42 AM
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Not meaning to get off topic, but did I read that all these podunk "card rooms" in California and Colorado don't have live craps games and tables? Thanks. Enjoy all the pictures and reviews.
November 22nd, 2013 at 5:05:22 AM
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Quote: NokTangNot meaning to get off topic, but did I read that all these podunk "card rooms" in California and Colorado don't have live craps games and tables? Thanks. Enjoy all the pictures and reviews.
Craps is not legal in California. Some large Tribal casinos skirt the law and have card-based craps, but the card clubs don't offer the game. Craps is legal in Colorado, but some of the smallest casinos just aren't large enough to house a game. Definitely, regular craps in Colorado is much more common than card craps is in California.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 22nd, 2013 at 6:36:58 PM
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State: California
City: Colma
Casino: Lucky Chances
Today's chip of the day comes from the Lucky Chances card club in Colma, CA. Colma is on the San Francisco Peninsula between San Francisco and San Mateo. The club is quite large and has 60 tables. They spread several poker varieties, BJ, PG tiles, UTH, Baccarat, and PGP.
Here' a picture of the club:
The club is the newest in the Bay Area. It is spacious, which is rare for a bay-area card club. It also has ample parking, including an underground ramp, which is also unique for the area. I'd say the club is upscale, but the lack of a theme makes it sort of soulless and generic. I guess it's kind of like the Aliante Casino of California card clubs.
I played BJ to collect my chip. I bought in for $60 and played until I had $100. Unfortunately, I made a mistake I hadn't made for some time and left with exactly $100 in chips including the souvenir. So I wound up with $95 after pocketing this chip.
My chip from Lucky Chances is a sunfly mold from the Blue Chip company. It's red, which is rare for a card club in CA. I like the circle inside a star inside a circle design, which is on the chip and also in several places on the property.
City: Colma
Casino: Lucky Chances
Today's chip of the day comes from the Lucky Chances card club in Colma, CA. Colma is on the San Francisco Peninsula between San Francisco and San Mateo. The club is quite large and has 60 tables. They spread several poker varieties, BJ, PG tiles, UTH, Baccarat, and PGP.
Here' a picture of the club:
The club is the newest in the Bay Area. It is spacious, which is rare for a bay-area card club. It also has ample parking, including an underground ramp, which is also unique for the area. I'd say the club is upscale, but the lack of a theme makes it sort of soulless and generic. I guess it's kind of like the Aliante Casino of California card clubs.
I played BJ to collect my chip. I bought in for $60 and played until I had $100. Unfortunately, I made a mistake I hadn't made for some time and left with exactly $100 in chips including the souvenir. So I wound up with $95 after pocketing this chip.
My chip from Lucky Chances is a sunfly mold from the Blue Chip company. It's red, which is rare for a card club in CA. I like the circle inside a star inside a circle design, which is on the chip and also in several places on the property.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 22nd, 2013 at 7:39:41 PM
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The town of Colma has an interesting history. It started as a place for San Franciscans to bury their dead, when cemeteries were banned within the San Francisco City limits at the end of the 19th century.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
November 23rd, 2013 at 7:50:35 PM
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State: California
City: Citrus Heights
Casino: Lucky Derby
Today's chip of the day comes from the Lucky Derby card club in Citrus Heights, CA. Citrus Heights is a Sacramento suburb. It's on the Northeast side of town, between I80 and US50. Lucky Derby has 13 tables, which include BJ and PGP in addition to poker.
Here's a picture of the club:
It's not unusual for California card clubs to be in commercial areas. Some are in downtown areas, some are in strip malls, etc. This one is a bit unique because it directly borders the property of San Juan High School. The card club is between the school and the San Juan Plaza Shopping Center.
I played BJ at Lucky Derby. It was one of the few places in CA where the corporate player and the dealer were not in sync. The corporate player was covering all antes, and he couldn't get the proper amount worked out. Then he was flustered and struggled through the calculation of regular payments. That made the game move pretty slowly and erratically. The poor woman next to me was just learning the game, and she was really having a hard time with what to do and when to do it. I think CA would be a hard place to learn in general, but this situation just made it worse. I played for about 30 minutes before my $60 turned into $0 (+1 $5 chip) and I slinked back to the car to head to the next club.
My card from Lucky Derby is a Blue Chip Sunfly mold. It's brown, and very plain. The chip has "$5.00" on one side, and the casino's name on the other. The side with the name on it features a derby hat.
City: Citrus Heights
Casino: Lucky Derby
Today's chip of the day comes from the Lucky Derby card club in Citrus Heights, CA. Citrus Heights is a Sacramento suburb. It's on the Northeast side of town, between I80 and US50. Lucky Derby has 13 tables, which include BJ and PGP in addition to poker.
Here's a picture of the club:
It's not unusual for California card clubs to be in commercial areas. Some are in downtown areas, some are in strip malls, etc. This one is a bit unique because it directly borders the property of San Juan High School. The card club is between the school and the San Juan Plaza Shopping Center.
I played BJ at Lucky Derby. It was one of the few places in CA where the corporate player and the dealer were not in sync. The corporate player was covering all antes, and he couldn't get the proper amount worked out. Then he was flustered and struggled through the calculation of regular payments. That made the game move pretty slowly and erratically. The poor woman next to me was just learning the game, and she was really having a hard time with what to do and when to do it. I think CA would be a hard place to learn in general, but this situation just made it worse. I played for about 30 minutes before my $60 turned into $0 (+1 $5 chip) and I slinked back to the car to head to the next club.
My card from Lucky Derby is a Blue Chip Sunfly mold. It's brown, and very plain. The chip has "$5.00" on one side, and the casino's name on the other. The side with the name on it features a derby hat.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
November 24th, 2013 at 9:05:26 PM
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State: California
City: San Diego
Casino: Lucky Lady
Today's chip of the day comes from the Lucky Lady card club in San Diego, CA. Lucky Lady has 6 poker tables, plus BJ, PGP, Baccarat, and 3CP.
Here's a picture of the casino:
Lucky Lady was an interesting place. First, it's tiny. Putting 11 tables in this space is like attending a home poker game where the guy down the street sets up table after table in his garage just to see how many players he can possibly invite. Walking to the PGP table involved wading through people sitting at poker tables. Second, there was a lot of BO. Seriously, it was bad. Especially when I was trapped in the back of the room at the PGP table. Reminded me of playing Magic: The Gathering tournaments in college.
I played PGP to collect my chip. I lost relatively quickly. The method of play at the club was unique. I don't think I'm a fan. All players receive cards, all players look at their cards. All players set their cards down. No need to set the hand - everybody just gets set the house way. That makes play go by very quickly, but it also removed the element of skill from the game.
My chip from Lucky Lady is a Bud Jones product. It's red, which is rare for a card club in CA. There's an image of a large wave on the chip's face.
City: San Diego
Casino: Lucky Lady
Today's chip of the day comes from the Lucky Lady card club in San Diego, CA. Lucky Lady has 6 poker tables, plus BJ, PGP, Baccarat, and 3CP.
Here's a picture of the casino:
Lucky Lady was an interesting place. First, it's tiny. Putting 11 tables in this space is like attending a home poker game where the guy down the street sets up table after table in his garage just to see how many players he can possibly invite. Walking to the PGP table involved wading through people sitting at poker tables. Second, there was a lot of BO. Seriously, it was bad. Especially when I was trapped in the back of the room at the PGP table. Reminded me of playing Magic: The Gathering tournaments in college.
I played PGP to collect my chip. I lost relatively quickly. The method of play at the club was unique. I don't think I'm a fan. All players receive cards, all players look at their cards. All players set their cards down. No need to set the hand - everybody just gets set the house way. That makes play go by very quickly, but it also removed the element of skill from the game.
My chip from Lucky Lady is a Bud Jones product. It's red, which is rare for a card club in CA. There's an image of a large wave on the chip's face.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
